DMK's hunger strike against Lankan Navy a farce - Gopalaswamy

By our political correspondent

The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kalagam (MDMK) leader of Tamil Nadu Y. Gopalaswamy has severely criticised the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Muththuvelu Karunanithi saying that the hue and cry made by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister against the Lankan Navy over the State's fishermen was nothing but a farce and a political stunt.

Y. Gopalaswamy was speaking to the media in New Delhi on Friday evening over the hunger strike organised by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's DMK party throughout the State yesterday to protest against the problems faced by the Indian fishermen in the South Indian waters bordering India and Sri Lanka. South Indian fishermen have faced various types of problems in the waters between India and Sri Lanka for the past several years.

There is nothing new in this issue. However, the DMK party of Chief Minister Karunanithi being a coalition partner in Premier Manmohan Singh's Government could deal with the issue through the proper channel. Instead of finding a meaningful solution to the problems and safeguarding the South Indian fishermen, Chief Minister Karunanithi is sheding "crocodile tears" by staging a hunger strike throughout Tamil Nadu saying he is sympathising with the fisherfolk of Tamil Nadu.

The hunger strike organised by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and his henchmen are nothing but a total farce and a political stunt,"the MDMK leader said. He said yesterday's hunger strike staged by the ruling DMK of Tamil Nadu was mainly aimed at preparing the party for the forthcoming polls and not anything in support of the South Indian fishermen.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanithi launched the hunger strike in Chennai at 8 a.m. yesterday and it continued till 5 p.m. throughout the State.

Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to India Romesh Jayasinghe met key officials of the Indian Foreign Ministry yesterday in New Delhi on the issue with regard to the South Indian fishermen.

The issue is also expected to be discussed extensively between the Lankan and Indian officials during the SAARC Summit, informed sources said.